A good outdoor space is worth its weight in gold at a hotel—but how can you make what's good even greater? Several hoteliers and designers shared their best tips.
1. Bring the indoors out
Amy Jakubowski, principal and managing director at Pierre–Yves Rochon, said that outdoor spaces should function as “a true extension” of the interior space, with colors and styles that complement each other.
2. Be flexible…
Jeff Becher, director of engineering at the Marriott Marquis Houston, said outdoor spaces should be designed to meet a range of needs. “This includes typical weekend leisure and banquet and reception events,” he said.
3. …and ready to pivot
Matt Page, VP and associate principal at SB Architects, suggested designing areas so that they can operate at different times of the year and at different times of the day. Similarly, outdoor spaces should be “able to pivot if new trends appear.”
4. Consider the weather
Scott Gentile, director of sales and marketing at the Marriott Marquis Houston, said sunlight, wind and temperature need to be top-of-mind when creating outdoor spaces: “A hotel could activate a gorgeous space to find out that wind speeds are too great, or more sun shade areas are needed, or the space may be too hot or cold during the desired time.”
5. Know what experience the space will offer
Different needs require different amenities, said Nikki Fox, VP of business development at contracting company GLR. These can range from fire pits for socializing to large Jenga sets or bocce ball spaces for playing.
6. Add features for the community…
Fred L. Brandstrader, VP of construction and capital expenditures at Hyatt Hotels Corp., suggested adding water features like lazy rivers to attract locals as well as guests.
7. …but be aware of costs
“The spend that’s associated with adding or incorporating water into outdoor spaces can be cost prohibitive,” Gentile said.
8. Work with the land and landscape
An elevated deck may not be feasible if the ground around the hotel is too hard to easily dig into for supports, Fox noted.
9. Be prepared for “what ifs”
“Water maintenance is a seven-day-a-week responsibility and requires a dedicated number of associates who know the area and have intimate knowledge of the facilities,” Gentile said.
10. Schedule maintenance
Beyond daily water chemistry and maintenance, Becher said the Marriott Marquis Houston team will shut the outdoor water features down for a brief period of time each year for more intense annual maintenance.
11. Know the logistics
When activating rooftop areas, it’s important to know how much weight that roof can support and how heavy the objects on the roof will be, Gentile said.
12. Source responsibly
Cesar Ortiz, who oversees the U.S. and Canada sales department at Spanish design company NewGarden, recommends using recycled materials. “The conscious choice of materials that are not only responsibly manufactured but that can be fully recycled sends a message to the guests enjoying the space,” he said. “It turns a sustainable effort into something tangible.”
13. Get the best you can
Gentile advises buying the highest quality products available for your budget. “A low-cost sun lounger may not last a season” in strong sunlight, he noted.
14. Take advantage of sunlight
Ortiz recommends getting high-efficiency LED solar-powered fixtures that can charge during the day and provide the same quality of light as hard-wired fixtures all night.
15. Be secure
In high-wind environments, permanently securing objects to the deck or ground is necessary, Gentile said. “The teams responsible for the outdoor areas must be very active in monitoring [the] weather forecast to ensure the well-being of those outdoors.”
16. Be creative with planters
Planters can help divide outdoor spaces while maintaining a natural aesthetic. And as Ortiz noted, some planters can be illuminated to provide extra light.
17. Get transitional furniture
Outdoor spaces can be divided by a curtain wall or movable Plexiglas, Fox said, and sectional furniture pieces can create different shapes for different needs.
18. Consider pods
Brandstrader said his team has considered modular pods for privacy in outdoor spaces.
19. Get outdoor lighting
Ortiz emphasized the need for lamps that can be used outside. “IP65 grading and up would be preferred,” he said. “The higher the ingress protection, the safer the electronic components are from natural elements: dust, ice, water etc.”
20. Leave room for pop-ups
Page suggested dedicating open areas for flexible usage, such as food trucks or temporary stages for musicians or performers.